Sunday, July 5, 2009

Roadblocks...

It appears that the road to expansion in Hong Kong is filled with potholes...

There's a big stink flying up about some in the city's Legislative Council about not approving or putting on hold the greenlighting of the expansion of HKDL. A few people seem to find this great news, while others are predicting doom and gloom. Neither shouldn't be focused on such opposite extremes of a decision on this plan.

First off, wishing that the plan would fail because you're not happy with one part of the plan (Toy Story Land) is like thanking someone for not taking your wallet as they drive off in your car. If the plan doesn't go through then you would be left with a park that languishes in the shadow of it's coming big brother and results in a very bad financial situation for Disney that wouldn't be good for the rest of the company. If you don't like the non-expansion of WDW or other parts of the Mouse's world, you really won't like it should this fail. It would have company wide repercussions. So all those out there that are praying for failure, please pray for something else. One thing about building things you don't like is they can always be "plussed" or remade to look better (DCA anyone?). But the feelings some have for this expansion's failure is more emotional that realistic. And besides, those that are wanting Toy Story Mania to be put in should examine the Land a little closer. There's a lot of room for expansion and TSM would likely go into that large area in a second phase, should the first one see an uptick in attendance.

In regards to those that are thinking of this as the end of the world for Disney's fifth kingdom, please stay calm. This is likely a posturing move by the Legislative Council and although there are a good deal of those that don't feel satisfied with this deal, the truth of the matter is that it'll likely pass. It may be a slim margin, bit it most likely will go through. Why, you wonder? Because the economy. For the same reason that Shanghai agreed to a sweet deal for the Walt Disney Company even though it saw the disappointments of Hong Kong. The economy. With unemployment rising in Hong Kong like every major area of Chine due to the worldwide recession, they're looking to create and expand as many jobs is possible. This does that in a time when it is critically needed. Remember that the large population of this country requires that they (the Chinese Government) create a million new jobs a year just to not fall behind and add to further unemployment. That's what happens when you have 1.3 billion people. Since the collapse of the global market that isn't happening and China's ruling government doesn't want the populace getting antsy about things. That causes disastrous problems for a country that is trying to keep a lid on discontent. Money, like it always is, is the reason this deal will most likely go through. Well find out shortly if all the talk now is political posturing or a serious roadblock. I believe it could be neither. Think of it instead as a speed bump. And speed bumps don't stop you.

Your optimism and overly-positive view on things is really irritating. I think criticisms of the cheap-looking Toy Story land are valid. But criticism of almighty never-wrong Disney isn't allowed, apparently :-/

You should read this blog a little more often and you'll notice that Honor is critical of Disney. All you have to do is look at the last couple of weeks where he was ragging them over the new Nemo film. But I guess you're too lazy to go back and check?

Please. What you want is for him to rake the company over the coals about anything and everything. If he doesn't do so, he's a shill for the big corporation.

Give me a break. While you're at it, get a life. It sounds like you have too much time on your hands and could use one.

"You should read this blog a little more often and you'll notice that Honor is critical of Disney."

I agree. I ragged on Honor Hunter in the past for appearing like he was up Iger's ass, but that was just ball busting. He runs a very entertaining blog and I don't care how positive or negative his viewpoint is. All that matters to me is that it has a point of view.

"Give me a break. While you're at it, get a life. It sounds like you have too much time on your hands and could use one."

To be fair, anyone who posts on Disney blogs and forums has too much time on their hands, whether they say something positive or negative. And that goes for you and me.